August 30, 2016

You take great pride in caring for your teeth to ensure you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. However, you may be causing damage to your teeth and gums with bad habits. As your dentist in Coplay, Dr. S. John Salivonchik does not want to see you place your teeth at risk. Dr. Salivonchik has the top bad habits you need to stop right away to protect your smile from damage. If your teeth have already suffered the consequences of poor habits, as your dentist near Allentown, Dr. Salivonchik has the treatments you need to restore your smile.

Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard

We all want to have a bright, clean smile, which often leads many to use excessive force when brushing their teeth. However, brushing your tooth too hard will not get your teeth any cleaner. You will actually end up hurting your smile despite your good intentions. Brushing your teeth using too much force or using a hard-bristled toothbrush will cause damage to your gums, root surfaces, and even the enamel. Choose a soft-bristled brush and hold the brush at a 45-degree angle while you gently clean your teeth.

Using Your Teeth as Tools

Although the teeth are designed for biting, that does not mean you should bite everything. It is all too easy to use our teeth as tools to open product packages, chip bags, or to cut tape. But, if you use your teeth as a replacement for scissors, pliers, or even bottle openers, you are placing your teeth at risk for breaking. Plus, you will cause damage to the enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to tooth decay.

Chewing on Ice

When sipping an ice cold drink, it is easy to feel the temptation to chew on ice. However, chewing on ice places your teeth at risk for cracks and breaks. When the teeth are exposed to very cold temperatures, they become more prone to fracturing and breaking. By chewing on ice, you are more likely to suffer from a broken tooth with each bite. If you have a habit of chewing on ice, try switching to crushed ice in your drinks instead of whole ice cubes.

Drinking Sugary Drinks

Everyone likes to drink something sweet, but drinking sugary or acidic drinks in excess increases your risk for tooth decay. Sugary and acidic drinks slowly eat away at enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to tooth decay. If you are craving something sweet and water just will not hit the spot, place a few pieces of fruit into your water for a little sweetness.

Grinding Your Teeth

Often, people who grind their teeth cannot control the habit. Over time, the excessive force on the teeth will cause the teeth to become worn. They may even break or become loose. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, you need to visit your dentist for a custom mouthguard to protect your teeth from unnecessary damage.

Protect Your Smile with Your General Dentist

We all have bad habits, but you need to be careful that your bad habits are not hurting your smile. If your teeth are becoming damaged, contact Dr. Salivonchik to discuss interventions and treatments to protect your smile.